Liposuction
Liposuction removes localized pockets of stubborn fat that have not responded to diet and exercise, refining the shape of areas like the abdomen, flanks, thighs, or arms. It is a body-contouring procedure, not a treatment for obesity or weight loss. Results vary between individuals and are best maintained at a stable, healthy weight.
Medically reviewed by the Florence Healthcare medical team · Last reviewed June 2026
Overview
Liposuction is a body-contouring procedure that removes small, localized pockets of fat to improve the shape and proportion of a specific area. It can help with areas that resist diet and exercise, but it is not a weight-loss method and does not treat obesity. It also does not tighten loose skin or remove cellulite.
Using thin tubes called cannulas, a qualified plastic surgeon suctions fat through small incisions to sculpt a smoother contour. The best candidates are close to a stable, healthy weight with good skin elasticity and realistic goals. Because significant weight change can alter the outcome, results are most predictable and lasting when your weight stays steady afterward.
For international patients, a coordinator helps you plan the visit and arrange an initial consultation. A surgeon can review your photos and medical history remotely to give general guidance, but the final plan needs an in-person assessment. Because surgery raises the risk of blood clots, it is important not to fly too soon afterward; your coordinator advises on safe travel timing and length of stay.
Who is a candidate?
- Adults near a stable, healthy weight with localized fat that resists diet and exercise
- Good skin elasticity, so skin can redrape over the new contour
- In good general health, non-smoking or willing to stop before and after surgery
- Realistic goals, understanding this reshapes contours rather than reducing overall weight
What happens
- 1
Consultation & assessment
Your surgeon examines the areas of concern, reviews your health and medications, discusses your goals, and explains what liposuction can and cannot achieve, along with the risks and alternatives.
- 2
Planning & preparation
You receive tailored guidance on medications, stopping smoking, and preparing for anesthesia. The areas to be treated are marked and photographed, and the plan is confirmed with you before surgery.
- 3
The procedure
Under general anesthesia, a fluid solution is infiltrated and fat is suctioned through small incisions using fine cannulas to sculpt the target areas. Incisions are small and placed as discreetly as possible.
- 4
Recovery & follow-up
You wear a compression garment to reduce swelling and support the new shape. Swelling and bruising ease over weeks, with the contour continuing to refine over several months as tissues settle.
Benefits
- Improves the shape and proportion of areas with stubborn, localized fat
- Targets specific pockets that have not responded to diet and exercise
- Small incisions placed discreetly, with scars that usually fade over time
- Results can be long-lasting when a stable, healthy weight is maintained
Risks & considerations
- Scarring at incision sites
- Asymmetry, contour irregularities, or need for revision surgery
- Blood clots — why safe travel timing after surgery matters
- Temporary or, rarely, lasting changes in skin sensation
- Swelling, bruising, and fluid collection (seroma)
- Risks associated with general anesthesia
Conditions this treats
Where it is performed
This procedure is performed by our Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department.
Learn more before you decide
Provider-reviewed guides on the related conditions, symptoms and tests in our Health Library.
Liposuction — frequently asked questions
No. Liposuction reshapes specific areas by removing localized fat; it is not a treatment for obesity or a substitute for diet and exercise. Results are most predictable and lasting when you are near a stable, healthy weight and keep it steady afterward.
The fat cells removed do not return, but the remaining cells can still enlarge if you gain weight. Keeping a stable weight helps preserve your result. Significant weight gain can change the treated and untreated areas.
No. Liposuction removes fat but does not tighten skin or treat cellulite. If loose skin is a concern, your surgeon will discuss whether a different or additional procedure may suit you better.
A coordinator arranges your consultation and builds a plan and a transparent, itemized cost estimate before you travel. A surgeon can review photos and your history remotely, but the final plan needs an in-person assessment. Because surgery raises clot risk, your coordinator also advises on how long to stay and when it is safe to fly.
We provide a transparent, itemized estimate after a consultation and do not quote fixed prices online because each plan is individual. Most people return to light activity within one to two weeks, while swelling settles over months. Your coordinator confirms recovery and safe travel timing.
Considering liposuction?
Share your reports for a medical second opinion and a transparent, itemized cost estimate — usually within 48 hours.